Kim Guadagno: Mayor’s claim ‘illogical’

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno is pushing back against allegations that she told Hoboken’s mayor that Sandy relief funds would be withheld based on political conditions, calling the claims “illogical” and “offensive.”

“Mayor [Dawn] Zimmer’s version of our conversation in May of 2013 is not only false, but is illogical and does not withstand scrutiny when all of the facts are examined,” Guadagno told reporters at an event Monday in New Jersey.

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Hoboken mayor’s accusation

Zimmer appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday and said Guadagno told her Hoboken would not receive more hurricane relief funds unless she supported a Christie-backed development project. Zimmer also alleged that Guadagno told her the message had come directly from Christie.

“Standing in Union Beach as we are today with some of the mayors whose towns were devastated by Sandy, and also being a Sandy victim myself, makes the mayor’s allegations particularly offensive to me,” Guadagno said.

“The suggestion that anyone would hold back Sandy relief funds for any reason is wholly and completely false,” the lieutenant governor added.

Zimmer’s allegation is another blow for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who for months has faced allegations that a controversial lane closure in September was political payback. The Republican governor has continued to deny any involvement or knowledge of the lane closures and last week hired outside legal counsel as an investigation into the bridge flap gets under way.

MSNBC reported Sunday that Zimmer has also met with the U.S. attorney’s office, which is taking a preliminary look into the lane closures. Christie’s office denied Zimmer’s claims and slammed MSNBC, calling it “a partisan network that has been openly hostile” to Christie.

Guadagno said Monday she thought she had a good relationship with Zimmer and that she was surprised the mayor “has chosen to characterize the relationship I have with her about development and job creation in Hoboken.”

Guadagno repeatedly denied the allegations, although did not take questions from reporters. Instead, she said more facts will come out during the investigation.